ASU Football: Recruiting Update 01/28/14

: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Signing Day is rapidly approaching on February 5^th, and a lot of news will be coming out in the next few days. Some Arizona State Sun Devil recruiting news from over the weekend:

• On Friday January 24^th, junior college wide receiver Eric Lauderdale announced his verbal commitment to the Sun Devils. Lauderdale, a four-star recruit on Rivals, Scout, and ESPN, selected the Sun Devils over the University of Florida Gators. Lauderdale will have two seasons to play in the maroon and gold, and his addition helps solidify a young wide receiver group. For the 2014 season, there are no senior wide receivers and only Jaelen Strong, Richard Smith, and Gary Chambers in the junior class. Lauderdale’s highlights show an athletic skill set that can compliment Jaelen Strong. A key with all junior college transfers is how soon they get on campus to learn the system, and this is no different with Lauderdale.
• Offensive guard Alex Anderson, from New Orleans, decided to sign with the University of Texas instead of Arizona State. Arizona State was on Anderson early in the recruiting process and secured a verbal commitment in July 2013 prior to his senior season. However, after a superb senior season where Anderson placed on the New Orleans All-Metro 1^st team, Anderson formed a strong relationship with offensive line coach Joe Wickline, formerly of Oklahoma State but currently with Texas. Ultimately that bond with Wickline led to Anderson enrolling in Austin instead of Tempe this semester.
• Offensive tackle Casey Tucker, from Chandler Hamilton, announced his verbal commitment to Stanford per his twitter account. Tucker, a local five star recruit, selected the Cardinal over the Sun Devils. With the loss of three year starting left tackle Evan Finkenberg, Arizona State was looking for a program-solidifying left tackle prospect to join the program in 2014. However, Tucker was accepted into Stanford University, and he committed to the Cardinal. While this is another case of an Arizona high school star leaving the state, the Arizona State coaching staff worked hard to keep Tucker here. Certainly the fact that Arizona State was in it until the end shows how much Todd Graham and his staff have worked to repair its reputation and relationships with local high schools.
• Also several high school football prospects, who are verbally committed to the Sun Devils, officially visited. Per their twitter accounts, quarterback Coltin Gerhart, defensive back Armand Perry, and tight end Brendan Landman were some of the players who spent the weekend in Tempe learning more about the Arizona State program.

Do you have any thoughts on how recruiting is going for Arizona State? Let Don know on Twitter, Facebook, or by e-mail and you could make it on the next ASU Devils Den Football Podcast.